Mount Everest, 8,850
meters (29,035 ft.), is the highest mountain in the world and
as such has become the ultimate high altitude mountaineering
for a many climbers. Known to the Nepalese as Sagarmatha and
to the Sharpies and Tibetans as Chomolungma, which means "Mother
Goddess of the World," we will be climbing Everest via
the South Cool route. The South Cool was the first successfully
climbed route on Mt. Everest as Sir Edmund Hillary and Tensing
Norgay Sherpa accomplished this feat in May 29, 1953. Since
then, the South Cool has seen over 450 ascents. It is known
as the most successfully climbed route on Everest.

CLIMBING
ROUTE

By the time we get
to base camp, our climbing Sharpies will have base camp set
up and will be on the way to having the lower part of the mountain
(the Chummy Ice Fall) already fixed with ropes and ladders.
We will establish four camps on the mountains we follow the
route up to the South Cool. After passing through the ice fall,
climbers will arrive at Camp 1, located just above the Ice Fall
at 19,600 feet. Camp 2 is located further up the Western Cwm
at 21,400 feet. From Camp 2, we ascend fixed lines to Camp 3,
located about two-thirds up the Lhotse face at 23,400 feet.
Finally, climbers arrive at Camp 4, our final camp 26300'. Summit
day involves a climb with oxygen along the southeast ridge,
past the South Summit, up the Hilary Step and on to the highest
point in the world at 29,050 feet!

SUMMIT
ATTEMPTS

After Camps 3 and
4 are set up and all our supplies are in place, we return to
Base Camp to get a good rest. At Base Camp we will organize
our summit teams and prepare ourselves for summit attempts.
Once we are
ready, we return to Advanced Base Camp. If the weather is good
we will continue to ascent to Camp 3 on the second day. We move
up to Camp 4 on the third day. On the summit day we will start
very early that morning and attempt to reach the summit before
mid-day. After the summit, we retreat back to the South Cool
and on to Camp 3. Weather plays is a major part in actual summit
attempts. We will try as many summit attempts as safely as possible.
Our skilled team of high altitude Sharpies all of whom have
summitted Everest numerous times without supplemental oxygen,
will fix ropes, stock camps and provide leadership and support
for the climb. This will enable you to carry lighter loads,
thus saving your strength for the summit bid. Oxygen will be
provided
for all team members at camp 4. Our goal is to provide an expedition
that gives you the best chance of summitting Mount Everest to
the top of the world.

Day
1: Depart for Katmandu.

Day
2: En route to Katmandu.

Day
3: Arrive in Katmandu. We will be met at the airport
by Sherpa Ascent International's Katmandu staff who will escort
us to our hotel. The group is then free to explore Katmandu
or relax from the long trip.

Day
4: Katmandu Sightseeing. We have arranged for a private
sightseeing tour of the mystical city of Katmandu that includes
the Buddhist shrines of Swayambunath (the famed monkey temple)
and Bodhnath, as well as theHindu funeral pyres of Pashupatinath.
The evening is free to finish final packing arrangements.

Day
5: Katmandu
to Lukla and Sewangma (8,900 ft.). We fly from Katmandu to Lukla(9,350
ft.), and land on the memorable Lukla airstrip. We are then
met by our trekking crew, and begin our trek by descending to
Chaurikharka, crossing the Dud Koshi river over the new Sewangma
Bridge, that Pemba built in 2000, and climbing up to Pemba's
boyhood village of Sewangma. This is an "off-the-beaten
path" excursion where we will see no other tourists and will be welcomed by
Pemba's family.

Day
6: Sewangma to Phakding (8,661 ft.). We will continue trekking
on the western side ofthe Dud Koshi River, so will see traditional
Sherpa villages and no other tourists. We will stop by the Gomela
School, where Pemba has helped build the school. We will meet
up again with the main trail in Phakding, where we camp.

Day 6: Phakding
to Namche Bazaar (11,319 ft.). We will continue to move up the
Dud Koshi valley, past a waterfall at Banker (2700 m) and on
the Chime. Magnificent forests of firs, rhododendrons and manolias
grace
much of this part of the trail. We drop to the Dud Koshi to
cross it and climb again to Jorsale (2850 m) where we will enter
the Sagarmatha National Park. After lunch at Jorsale, it's all
uphill to Namche, but our first views of Everest, Nuptse, and
Lhotse make the climb worth it!

Day
7: Acclimatization day in Namche Bazaar. Acclimatization
is critical before going higher, so you have the day to explore
Namche Bazaar. Some members of the group may want to take a
long acclimatization hike up to
the monastery at Thame. We will also be here for the famous
Saturday market, with many Tibetan, having crossed the Nangpa
La, selling their wares.

Day 8: Namche Bazaar to Tengboche (12,664 ft.). It's
up to Punkitanga and then on to the famous monastery of Tengboche
with its background of mountain peaks, including Ama Dablam
and Everest. The original monastery
burned down in 1988, but the new structure, built in 1990, is
also striking. This still remains the largest and most active
monastery in the Chummy. We'll camp near the monastery so you'll
have plenty of time to photograph and explore this beautiful
site.

Day
9: Tengboche to Dingboche (14,271 ft.). We drop slightly
to Devuche, cross the Imja Khola, and climb up to Pangboche
(13,123 ft.). We pass superb mani stones along the way. The
"yeti scalp" at the monastery here
is even on display! Pangboche is the highest year-round settlement
and the monastery is the oldest in the Community. We'll finish
the day at our campsite in Dingboche.

Day 10: Dingboche
to Lobuche (16,207 ft.). Today we have a beautiful walk to the
village of Lobuche, as Pumori (and Kala Pattar) leading the
way.

Day 11: Lobuche
to Everest BaseCamp
(17,160 ft.). We hike up to Gorak Shep (16,962 ft.)for tea before
going up to Everest Base Camp. This classic hike is superb for
viewing Pumori, Mt. Everest, and the high
Himal. We'll arrive in Everest Base camp for a hot lunch and
check our camp site then meet up with our climbing Sharpas.

Day 12 - 62: Climbing period

Day 63: Everest
Base Camp To Lobuche (16,207 ft.). We meet up with our Yak and
Yak drivers then clean up our camp and hike down to Lobuche.

Day 64: Lobuche
to Tengboche (12,664 ft.). We will retrace our steps back to
Tengboche today.

Day 65: Tengboche
to Namche Bazaar (11,319 ft.). We will continue to retrace our
steps back to Namche.

Day 66: Namche
Bazaar to Lukla (9,350 ft.). We will complete the trek in the
village of Lukla, bustling with tourists, porters, and guides.

Day 67: Lukla
to Katmandu. We will catch an early morning flight on the memorable
Lukla airstrip and return to the luxuries (e.g., hot showers,
warm towels) of Katmandu!

Day 68: Katmandu.
An open day in Katmandu to visit more of the temples, shop,
and relax.

Day 69-70: Return to U.S.

LAND COST: $32,000

Payment Schedule:
Initial deposit to hold space: $3,000
Final payment due three months before departure.

In addition to personal
gear, you should bring a sleeping bag (rated -20 degrees or
less), a backpack, and a large duffel bag with a double zipper
that locks (for porters or yaks to carry with your personal
gear). You will be provided with a two-person tent, full-length
foam sleeping pad, all commissary gear, and eating/drinking
utensils.

All personal gear,
camp stools, folding tables, and dining tent are carried by
Yaks. Climbers carry only a backpack with water bottles, camera,
extra jacket, and items you may need during the course of the
day. A full equipment list is available after signing up.